Change is on its way. The country has been pleading for it, anything to stop the spread of stagnation, everything to shake up the established order. Gareth Southgate appears to have listened. In this moment of desperation, the England manager is apparently set to pay an old friend a visit, one who provided him the happiest of times before a falling out three years ago, when things didn’t work out at Wembley against Italy. Why hello again, Back Three.

Reports suggest that Southgate is finally shifting his focus from changing Declan Rice’s midfield partner every 30 seconds to a more radical makeover, with Ezri Konsa potentially joining Kyle Walker and John Stones in a three-man central defence. It makes sense, returning to joyful memories to manage the present, this being the shape that instigated a run to the semi-finals of the World Cup six years ago. Back Southgate goes to that summer, to those early days of promise and punishing Panama, to heatwaves and hope, to when he seemed to be universally loved, to Ashley Young at left wing-back.

Why limit yourself to a shift in formation? Surely, it’s also worth digging into the back of the cupboard and returning to the look that did wonders for M&S. Get the waistcoat out. “This year, it will be more short-sleeved knits than a suit and tie, because we’re trying to create a relaxed environment,” Southgate told GQ before this tournament when explaining his sartorial choices. “When you’re working with young lads, you don’t want to be too stiff – in what you’re doing or wearing.” With all due respect, Gareth, you’re at the business end now. The time for houseplants and acoustic covers is over. Strap on the three-piece and roar like you’ve just won on penalties against Colombia. (In moderation, though; don’t let Jude get carried away.)

Switzerland, obviously, will hope there’s been a mix-up at the dry-cleaners. Murat Yakin’s boys weren’t far off beating Germany and brushed aside the defending champions, but perhaps more troubling than their opposition on Saturday is that scary phenomenon called history. The last eight is as good as it gets for the Swiss, the barrier they’ve never crossed at the World Cup or Euros, where a shootout loss to Spain in the 2021 quarters was their best finish. But they’ve developed a giant-killing rep, which makes a meeting with the out-of-nick favourites thoroughly tantalising. They won’t easily roll over.

Join Barry Glendenning from 5pm BST for hot MBM quarter-final coverage of Spain 0-0 Germany (aet, 4-5 on pens), before Scott Murray is on deck at 8pm for Portugal 0-0 France (aet, 3-2 on pens).

It’s an urgent situation. We cannot let our country fall into the hands of these people. It is pressing. We saw the results, it’s catastrophic. We really hope it’s going to change: that everyone is going to rally together, go and vote, and vote for the correct party” – France talisman Kylian Mbappé laments the performance of National Rally in the French elections, before Sunday’s crunch runoff vote.

Of course, I get my all information needs from Big Website (ahem), but I did chance upon this wondrous piece in the latest Economist on England fans following the team in Gelsenkirchen, which has the only opening paragraph you will ever see that combines John Stones, needless swearing and former West German Chancellor W1lly Brandt. As I believe the youngsters say these days, ‘hang it in the Louvre’” – Noble Francis.

Re: yesterday’s Euro 2024 letters. Maybe you can make it a family affair and give letter o’ the day to Mark Matics’ brother Otto. A popular choice, I’d wager, given he is for the people. The other unsuccessful correspondents have to understand that everybody hurts … some times” – Derek McGee.

Send letters to [email protected]. Today’s letter o’ the day winner is … Derek McGee, who wins our final copy of Euro Summits: The Story of the Uefa European Championships 1960 to 2016, courtesy of Pitch Publishing. Visit their bookshop here. Terms and conditions for our competitions can be viewed here.

Mert Gunok’s dad reckons the Turkey keeper’s spectacular stoppage-time save against Austria was due to help from above. “My son’s stance and performance on the field at the last second made me happy. Maybe the prayers of all football fans, along with me, prevented that goal,” tooted Mahir Gunok. Next up come the Netherlands on Saturday evening. “I think that with this spirit of unity and solidarity, we will overcome the Dutch obstacle,” he added.

Jude Bellingham has been fined €30,000 and given a suspended one-match ban by Uefa for the gesture he made after scoring against Slovakia.

Turkey defender Merih Demiral’s Euros will be over unless they reach the final, though, with disciplinary suits banning him for two games over that “wolf salute” he gave during the win over Austria.

Bernardo Silva reckons there’s nothing unusual in Portugal teammate Cristiano Ronaldo unloading some hot, salty tears during their dramatic win against Slovenia. “We’re humans and he felt emotional when he missed a penalty,” sighed Silva. “It’s acceptable, isn’t it? He cries for a bit, which is how humans deal with emotions sometimes. So I don’t see any reason for people to discuss about it, but obviously people will, because that’s the business.”

Tennis star Ons Jabeur has said she was crying along with Ronaldo too. “I was watching Portugal [on Monday],” she explained after winning her second-round match at Wimbledon. “When Cristiano missed the penalty, I was crying with him because I love him so much.”

Ilkay Gündogan believes Germany can look forward to their quarter-final against Spain, having already changed the mood in the country. “We’re looking forward to it with a smile,” he roared. “From now on, it could be the ice on the topping, I think that’s how you say it?”

But it’s bad news for the hosts, with news coming out of Dortmund zoo that orangutan oracle Walter picked Spain to prevail.

Even now, with Antonio Rüdiger enjoying his most productive international tournament, the knives are out for him in a way they so rarely are for others. Jonathan Liew on a damning representation of modern Germany.

Spain’s Dani Olmo gets his chat on with Sid Lowe.

How controversy has shaped the Portugal v France rivalry. By Philippe Auclair.

Vincenzo Montella is reaping the rewards of embracing Turkey’s fan culture pandemonium. Emre Sarigul has more.

And Jacob Steinberg reports from the England camp and hears from John Stones, who senses a positive mood change after edging past Slovakia.

Argentina … Emi Martínez … Penalty shootout = another narrow victory at the Copa América, pipping Ecuador. “I wasn’t ready to go home,” he roared. “This team deserved to advance. They complicated us a lot. They played a great match.” Ecuador’s response? Sacking head coach Félix Sánchez.

WSL all-time top scorer Vivianne Miedema is now a Manchester City player. “The reason I chose City is because they have the same ambitions as me,” she cheered. “They want to win the league and titles.”

Another big-name forward on the move is Fran Kirby, who has joined Brighton after leaving Chelsea. “It’s really special,” she declared. “You can see why so many players choose to play for Brighton. I don’t think I’ve ever seen, in the women’s game, such amazing facilities.”

And new Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney is desperate to prove himself after a less-than-stellar start to his managerial career. “I took a lot of time to reflect on what happened at Birmingham. Sometimes things happen for a reason,” he cooed. “The good thing which came out of it means that I’m here now, and I’m here to go and be successful. I really believe in that. I’m a confident person and I back myself to do that. I’m just looking forward to getting started.”

Opening ceremonies aren’t what they used to be. Here’s a gander back to June 1996 and the start of the Euros at Wembley before England v Switzerland, and a whole lot of balloons. That meeting ended 1-1.